Our next giveaway will be a set of new Groovy Girls RSVP dolls for one of the groovy gals in your life!In a world of Bratz and clothing marketed to little girls that is clearly meant for "ladies of the night", we are overjoyed to find this line of Groovy Girls RSVP dolls. We love that these dolls look like little girls, and represent a variety of ethnicities. Dressed in their party best, these wholesome and playful Groovy Girls RSVP dolls come with a password that unlocks an online clubhouse just for girls, featuring fabulous and fun parties and games, while also imparting positive value messages to girls. "RSVP" stands for the values of Respect, Self-expression, Values, and Play. Manhattan Toys is partnering with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve "Toys for Tots" program to donate these dolls. We love that this gives us (moms) the opportunity to have discussions about "RSVP" values as well as the need for our girls to be aware of the needs of others. And, these plush dolls are just so, well, so groovy! There are also groovy pets, horses and furniture for the girls to play with.

To enter, please leave us a comment telling how you try to teach your own children Respect, Self-expression, Values, or Play. [this giveaway will be closed on Thursday, December 4th at 10 PM, & the winner will be announced next Friday!]

And now, for the winners of last week's BLURB book giveaway:

BethStwoslocsColorado Shelton FamilyinnermostboxJessica

Shoot us an email in the next two weeks to claim your prize! If you did not win this week, keep checking back because we have more fabulous giveaways lined up! (we would like to remind you to sign up for the Mama Memo, so that you never miss out on a great giveaway!)

99 comments:

Oh I love those dolls. Brats is a bad word in our house. :) We try to keep it simple with our daughter. Her three rules: 1.Be respectful 2. Listen and Follow 3. Be nice to your kitty. (that one was sooo needed when she was about 3, not so much now, but we did add to be nice to your brother.) We are also from the south, so Yes Ma'm and Yes Sir are a must.

Hey girls ... love these dolls. We don't have girls in our house now, but we will soon!!! Hopefully sooner than later!!!

I will teach her to honor her body b/c not many other people will. I will teach her to have a strong head on her shoulders and be willing to state her opinion in a good manner if she is asked. I will teach her to love others at all times, no matter what. I will teach her to let her brother stick up for her!

yes, I'm pretty horrified at some of the dolls out there for girls. I love the groovy girls idea. My most effective teaching method is always modeling. My daughter copies everything I do. So I try to be respectful, and show her how to express herself, and I dress modestly... I'm notso great at the play though, but my husband often uses play to model appropriate treatment of others.

These dolls are great. I'm another parent who cannot stand the "bratz" dolls. I don't even understand why anyone would buy those for their daughters. Anyways, Laina is still young, but already she is learning to say "please" and "thank you". I know that we cannot raise a respectful, value-filled child without the help and grace of God, so we are pretty much constantly asking for that help!

Please, pretty please.....Madeline is in love with her first Groovy Girl, Linae and dog Spot. I love that they are dressed appropriately and very whimsical and creative in their dress, just like my daughter. For a girl who doesn't normally play with dolls, these are the perfect match because they are in between a doll and a stuffed animal. I've already declared it to be a Groovy Girl Christmas. We are wishing for the girl scout ones too (Madeline is a brand new Brownie). She can have Groovy Girl play dates with certain other friends. Please pretty please??

My daughter is only one, and thankfully, a sweet soul so we've not had to lay down the law yet. I worry about the pressure she'll face in society, to be this sexy, unattainable, busty waif. (Isn't that the image beauty mags and movies sell us?)All I can do to combat that is try to be a good role model. I used to put myself down, but since I don't want my kid imitating that self-critical behavior, I've stopped. And I have stopped being critical of other women, too. These changes are good for me and good for my daughter!

We have two of these dolls and a horse for them and my girls absolutely adore them.

Although our girls are 3 & 4 respectively, we're already struggling to dress them appopriately and find toys that encourage imaginative play without sending messages we'd rather them not face before they're old enough to understand what they mean.

The first way to teach self-respect is to have self-respect. I dress and speak in a way the my grandmother would approve of (for the most part) and I talk to my kids about being proud of who God created them to be because they are the only them in the universe.

We try to teach our children by example of how we treat others. If they come home from school telling a story about someone not being so nice, we ask them what they think would be the best way to handle it. They usually come up with some pretty nice ideas of how to handle the situation in a polite and respectful way.

Yes! These are terrific dolls! We talk about inner beauty as opposed to outer beauty, and bring up people we know and love who may not be model material, but who are kind. We talk about respect for ourselves and not letting others make us feel bad about ourselves. There are dozens of opportunities to reinforce the idea that how we look is not who we are.

These are fantastic dolls. I have 2 girls and I love great dolls. Such as Bratz are not allowed in our home and my girls have interest in them. I teach them that everyone is beautiful and to be respectful of eachother. Thank youtatertot374@sbcglobal.net

We talk and talk and talk and listen listen listen! When watching TV, going to a store, reading a book, watching people on the street,,,we are always discussing right from wrong. We always focus on the positive...I was recently hospitilized, and out of commission for a week +...SO many people were kind, bringing over food, calling,etc (we had 4 Thanksgiving Dinners! as I could not leave the house). I told her that kindness brings kindness. And respect brings respect. Life is too short not to be kind

We have been working on respect with our Kinder. She tends to argue a lot. We've been teaching her that even if she thinks she has been wrongly accused, she needs to obey her teacher (turn her card). Later--after she's been obedient--she can try to make her case. Politely.

I think Groovy Girls are so important for little girls to have---healthy role models are a plus!

I have worked very hard to embrace my daughter's self-expression, to allow her to be herself, to be free and feel proud of who she is, whether that means letting her walk to the store in a dinosaur hooded costume in March or go to school in totally mismatched clothes. I want her to have her own distinct personality, not something determined by certain inappropriate rolemodels on tv shows!

Like so many others have said...lead with a shining example. You must walk the walk and those little duckies will follow. That's how I feel about most anything I want my little one to learn. Be the change you want to see in the world applies to even this.

Great dolls! I teach my daughter values by having her use please and thank you and having write thank you notes for gifts. I also teach her play by regularly taking her to the park.-Terrapartymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

We are pretty disturbed by the trend in girls toys and clothing that leans toward less-than-appropriate looks and behavior. Our 4 yr old daughter is well-versed in conversational etiquette (please, thank you, excuse me, etc.) and we are very strict about what TV she's allowed to watch, as well. My biggest rule? Respect. For yourself and for others.

Ooops, I wrote before but didn't see what I was supposed to write about. This is my first blog giveaway sign up so that's fun. Ok, I feel like everything I am doing with my daughter is focused on reinforcing our values and how to live out these values in her life. Our daily conversation involves affirming her for the things I see, the unique way God has made her, and how she shows in her actions that she is living out these values. Our focus for the past two months involves "how to be a good friend." Specifically, we talk about how she is naturally empathetic towards others, but is working on how to be an encourager to her friends. This involves affirming them when they are "winning at something," and trying to overcome the natural competitiveness of a 7 yr. old with love. A friend loves at all times and Love your neighbor as yourself. This is what we're working on. I think we've got a lifetime ahead of us for this because I'm still trying to learn it. I also show her ways that I am still trying to figure all of this out and that yes, Mommy messes up all the time.

These dolls look great for little girls. Finally something better than those horrible Bratz dolls which thankfully my daughter never got into. I have been told that my children are very polite which means the world to me. It has always been please and thank you in our house and we try not to overindulge them. My daughter is 7 and does not ask for too many things which I take as a sign that hopefully we are doing our jobs right.

we used the system , one two three magicone time while driving to our once a month trip to the city for groceries (it was an hour and a half drive) , my kids hit the number three, I turned around and headed back home and that was the last time they misbehaved in the car, as they realized that mom was super serious about this!!!My oldest are 12 and 14 and I always get complimented on how well mannered they are. (I hope the rest turn out so well !!)

I have seen the groovy girls in Target before and totally approve, they're great. I've seen that they sell loads of accessories like beds etc.It is important that all children, girls and boys have good role models and this is a good road to travel down. i don't have any girls - but would love to and am helping my son become the most honorable, respectful man I can and I take great pride in that.

If I won, I know one girl (she's 9 ) who would love this, so it would have a happy home for sure.

well kids are kids not all children are the same so well i just let them be there selfs and well i also help them by showing them to mind there p's and q's and to well be the best thay can be at well what thay can be and well what thay do best and thats being kids . and well i loveto try andwin this for my girl so well she can have some thing nice so please enter me in to the giveaway thanks

would love to give these to grandaughter.I truly do not like bratz because of the way they look.why would parents give their daughters a doll called a bratz.doesnt make sense to me.they need to give their daughters a way to learn respect.

I start my daughter loving herself by teaching her how to put boundries around her with mean girls. I also dress her in cute but modest fashions. And those Bratz dolls will NEVER make their way into our house!dcbehlmer(at)hotmail(dot)com

The dolls look like wonderful toys for little girls. I teach my daughter respect and self-expression by reading books to her that focus on these traits. One book that is particularly cute that we've been reading lately is titled, "How Butterbees Came to Bee!" It creatively teaches tolerance and respect for those that are different from us.

You're going to think I'm a bad mom, but I try not to tell my daughter that she's smart or beautiful. I try only to affirm her in the things she can control, such as: "You worked really hard to solve that puzzle!" or "I love the way you layered your socks!" or "You were so polite to Mrs. So-n-so!" I keep the encouragement flowing all day, and I make eye contact with her so she knows she has my full attention when we're talking.

I love Groovy Girls! I teach my daughter.....Respect: by example...hopefully it's working :)Self-expression: By letting her wear any of the clothes she owns(which are all appropriate) in any manner she wishes..yes, I am that Mom who's daughter looks like she dressed herself, EVERYDAY. And by allowing her to pretend pretty much anything she wants and not stopping her even when she is on a completely different planet. The only thing I stop is when she starts "killing" animals. I don't know where she picked up that one but she started using a broken jump rope handle as a "hurter" to kill animals that are "bad." It's pretty gross. Anyways....Values: We are Christians and have a Christian world view according to the Bible. Not according to "The(corporate American) Church." We teach her values based on His Word.Play: By being silly and playful myself. And my husband helps out with this too. He's weird.

To teach a child those values one must LIVE those values. You CANNOT teach a child values that you yourself do not adhere to. So sad to see children grow up in homes where those attributes are not nourished. They become what they have lived.Instilling a sense of confidence tempered with humility along with following the golden rule; DO unto others as you would have them do unto you.

What great dolls! I teach my daughter and my son self confidence first, but it cannot be taught unless you possess it too! I am a photographer so I am able to show my children first hand how with the magic of photoshop I am able to "fix" blemishes, waistlines, and anything I want to make someone look perfect. My children pretty much understand that "perfect is only on paper".

Oh no, you're asking me to think! I just had my 4th baby and our oldest is 6 so I am not sure what I do lately to teach them anything, we're in survival mode still! I try get the boys to treat each other well and play nicely by setting up things they like to do together like a challenge of building something specific with legos. My 2yr old daughter would love these dolls, much better than Barbie or the others!jandh at myfamilylovesit.com

We have tried to teach our childhy to others. To give selflessly to others in need or not. To be true to yourself & to be accountable for your actions. To try, even if you fail. & to love life & try to appreiciate every moment-I hope that our values will help our kids grow into caring, responsible, self-respecting adults who know how to live, laugh, & love. reat contest! Thank you

I encourage my daughters to express themselves through their artwork and their story writing. I do try very hard to help them to understand that God made each of us different and to embraces those differences!

I don't have children, I would like these for my neices though. I love to watch them play and I ask them silly questions lots to make them imagine and pretend more, to me that's the best part of being a kid.

We model (and talk about) being kind to others, being generous, putting yourself in other peoples' shoes. We restrict the television shows, clothing, and toys they play with if we feel they are not respectful, no matter how popular they may be. We strongly support toys that stimulate the imagination!

It's never too early to teach your children manners and values.I talk to my daughters daily about many things and the importance of them. With Christmas coming up, this week we are working on giving. Everytime we see a bell ringer we give money out of our pockets to them. Then we discuss how we felt about it, the importance of it and how other people will feel when they get our donation.

What a fantastic idea!We have 5 kiddos- 3 biological and 2 adopted from Haiti. We're a blended family, not by marriage, but by adoption. Our kids are learning to value differences in people- not just in how they look, but in what they like/dislike too. It has been a big adjustment adding a 9 year old and 6 year old to our family. All of the kids are learning more about patience, sharing and valuing others' opinions. We talk a lot about these things and take advantage of real life moments to create great discussions.

EWW, bratz...my neice luvs those things...I really don't even like barbie either, but these are so cute and "real", I have started letting my daughter(2) help me pick out what she wants to wear daily, she thinks is so fun to put clothes on!!! And we are respectful to animals & people by being "gentle" to others and we are working on sharing toys with others too!!!thanks, MAMAMYmamamy26@gmail.com

We always talk about the difference between what you see on TV and in magazines and reality. We look at other cultures and time periods and try to let the girls know that everyone perceived beauty differently!

We try to teach our kids to treat everyone the way they want to be treated... with varying levels of success. Our daughter is feisty and independent and I hope she remains true to herself as she grows up.

The best way to lead is thru example. My oldest has his moments but it is so nice to see him opening doors for others, and helping others.

My youngest is a spitfire, she is so strongwilled, but she is young and learning. She has to be respectful not rude. Share, listen before reacting, be kind, and such. It is trial and error, but overall she is catching on.

These are the cutest dolls! My daughters love them! I teach my girls how to respect and honor themselves along with other people. The best way to do this is by example. You must practice what you preach! my email is rhondadennis@gmail.com

All of the adults in our family feel a responsibility to model for each of our children respect for the elderly, also those in authority (particularly police and fire officers)and to cultivate genuine friendships with mentors and teachers. I know those were values I learned from my parents and proved most beneficial once I reached my teenage years. I also have tried to instill the idea that family is the most important thing we have in this life and that even when not perfect...a sibling is always your first friend. I've also taught them that if they see someone who needs help...don't wait to be asked for help...offer it.

Values are taught to the children through our actions. More than words, it's what we do that they pay attention to and I try to live my life in a way that upholds my values and in doing so, it's demonstrated to the kids.doot65{at}comcast[dot]net

We make sure that our girls say please and thank you to everyone. Our girls are still young but we make sure they know that they can talk to us about anything. We tell them we love them constantly. I don't remember really hearing that when I was growing up and I believe that it's affected my relationship with my parents. I want my girls to always know how much they mean to us. Thank you!!

We teach our kids respect by talking to them the way we'd like them to talk to us. We never hit or yell at our kids. We also don't believe in "time outs." It's never too early to teach kids democracy and diplomacy. I think it's important to have serious boundaries in a house with children and clear roles for everyone, but I think it's equally important not to abuse power.

Being from the south, one of the main things I teach my children is saying Maam, Sir and thank you as shows of respect. Once you learn to say Maam and Sir, it becomes automatic. I still say Maam and Sir and I'm old as dirt.traymona[at]aol.com

i am always telling my kids to treat others as they would like to be treated.when they something bad about someone i say how would you like it if they said that about you and they think about it and usually agree

I think these dolls are so cute, I would really like them for my niece. In my family we try to teach respect by talking about Jesus alot. I know everyone has there own views, but that seems to help for us.sheriamore (at) gmail (dot) com

Children learn from the actions of others. We are mindful pf our actions everyday because of our children. We try to be good role models and talk about other good role models. No we are not perfect but we talk to our children explaining that no body is perfect. garrettsambo@aol.com

What a great idea! My girls have always like Groovy Girls and I love the idea behind these. The best way we have found to teach these values to our children is to model them. Since the kids tend to follow what we do, they will hopefully learn the values we find so important. Thank you for offering this giveaway! rhonda(at) acedesignstudio (d0t) com

The best way to teach life lessons is by example -- not do as I say not as I do! Children mimic what they hear and see. Thank you for the opportunity to participate in this giveaway! HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ONE AND ALL!!!

My granddaughters are pretty much taught by the whole family to have respect for others, including themselves. The golden rule pretty much sums it up..."do unto others as you would have others do unto you". The girls are very caring and generous and sympathetic to others.

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married, mom of 4 : desperately trying to avoid buying a minivan : has a goal to fix her own lunch instead of grazing off her children : resident expert on psychology and sarcasm, regularly fantasizes about sleeping in, blogs at Rage Against the Minivan.

married, mom of 2 : has googled “developmental milestones” more times than she can count : loves all things truly healthy and organic : resident expert on creativity and healthy living : regularly fantasizes about her kids sharing, blogs at Leaning In.

married, mom of two : has been known to rap to get the kids to do what she wants : over-thinks and second-guesses far too often : working on improving her skills in all areas of “playing cars”, blogs at The Extraordinary Ordinary.

married, mom of 2. jane of all trades, master of none: constantly battling her pack-rat tendencies: lover of pretty stationary, nap time, and playing hostess: born a New Yorker, grew up a Texan, currently masquerading as a California girl : always gets what she wants but never the way she expects it, blogs at Formerly Gracie

married, mom of 3 exuberant children ages 7, 8 and 9; struggling to balance work as a writer with the kids’ demanding schedules; on a mission to get the kids to eat healthy, adventurous “grown up” food; resident expert in pre-‘tween backtalk; blogs at Whatever Things Are True and Be Bold or Go Home.

married, mom of 2 (one a missionary, the other a hostage negotiator), co-founder of Radiate PR (rad PR skilz used for building harmonious family brand - oh, and for consumer-tech clients too), resident expert on good kid reads, blogs at ReadOutLoud.

resident stylist and beauty expert : has a "costa rican" peaceful vibe flowing through her veins, runs her own salon and spa and creates natural beauty products and candles, she might be speaking English but she thinks in Spanish, blogs at Meleesa, the salon.

married, three children, former pastry chef who can bake a cake, pretend to love boy sports and be a fierce advocate for her severely disabled child all at once; loves to steal away to daytime movies whenever she can and reads voraciously into the night; blogs regularly at a moon, worn as if it had been a shell.

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